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Black Country Day
22 July 2025
Lead MP
Antonia Bance
Tipton and Wednesbury
Lab
Responding Minister
Alex Norris
Tags
TaxationEmploymentTransport
Word Count: 11906
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Antonia Bance raised concerns about black country day in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Calls for a modern industrial strategy that includes clean energy industries, highlighting recent investment of £45 million from Eku Energy for a battery storage facility in Tipton and Wednesbury.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Black Country has a rich industrial heritage but faces challenges such as high unemployment rates, more sick people compared to other regions, and more children living without enough money. The legacy of deindustrialisation and austerity over the past decade and a half has held back progress in the region.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
The hon. Member agrees with his colleague that the three trade deals secured by the Prime Minister earlier this year will benefit manufacturing in the Black Country, securing 34,000 jobs at Jaguar Land Rover. Praised Halesowen's historical significance in building the Titanic anchor and acknowledged the legacy of working-class women chainmakers who fought for fair wages.
Antonia Bance
Lab
Dudley South
Welcomes the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker's new growth strategy, which identifies defence as a potential area of growth. She also supports targeted investment in defence manufacturing for job creation and economic benefit.
Cat Eccles
Lab
Stourbridge
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair today, Ms Vaz. Celebrates Black Country Day and acknowledges its rich cultural heritage.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Praised the Black Country's industrial heritage and highlighted several initiatives such as Repowering the Black Country project to support energy-intensive industries. He also mentioned the £1 billion transport funding for West Midlands combined authority and noted financial challenges faced by local authorities.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Congratulates the hon. Member on securing the debate, emphasising the importance of celebrating regional diversity across the United Kingdom.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Acknowledges the importance of celebrating the industrial heritage of both Strangford and the Black Country, highlighting similarities in their historical industrial bases and the challenges they face.
Cheltenham
Highlights the cultural and industrial heritage of the Black Country, including its role in the Industrial Revolution and contributions to arts and sports. He advocates for reversing cuts to arts funding and ensuring opportunities in creative industries.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Joins in celebrating Black Country's unique traditions like orange chips, which have a secret ingredient that contributes to their distinctive taste.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Celebrated the heritage and culture of the Black Country, highlighting Wolverhampton's role in the industrial revolution. Highlighted the importance of local brands like Chubb in reflecting the community's contribution to industry.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
The right hon. Member acknowledges the debate's significance and emphasizes the importance of highlighting the Black Country's rich industrial heritage, including coalmining, iron smelting, steel production, leather industry, and lorinery trade. Praised the contribution of the Black Country to industries such as leather production.
Government Response
Alex Norris
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Government Response
We are determined to partner with the Black Country to drive growth and unlock investment through our industrial strategy, which identifies eight high-growth sectors present across the region. My commitment today is for a real cross-Government effort and a connection, through ourselves, to local growth. The Government has announced various initiatives including the advanced manufacturing sector plan, a £240 million growth mission fund, and a £1.5 billion neighbourhoods programme to tackle deprivation and turbocharge growth in 75 communities across the UK. The Mayor of the West Midlands became the first to publish their 10-year growth plan with our support. Additionally, there is funding for housing projects like Friar Park urban village and transport infrastructure such as the £295 million West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.